This exciting book reveals their human qualities as viewed through relationships to John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, among others. As wives and girlfriends of the Depression-era's public enemies, they shift through continuing themes of expectation and disillusionment.

This website is dedicated to the history of the wives and girlfriends of the 1930's desperados who were part of the shifting band of outlaws known today as the "Dillinger Gang."

After Decades of Silence,
The 1930's Female Public Enemies Speak Out They flouted both moral and financial conventionThe female companions of the bank robbing fugitives of the Great Depression - Their history, buried under decades of stereotype and parody, is revealed for the first time. With the assistance of eyewitnesses and descendants, court and prison records, their legacy is examined. During the height of the Depression, their behavior challenged FBI agents, Federal courts, Federal Bureau of Prison policy and parole boards, who put them under pressure to betray their men.

The Captain Matt Leach manuscript is coming closer to completion. The research is concluding with the details of the Dillinger period of Leach's life. I am searching for descendants of people who knew or worked with Matt Leach. I am also searching for anyone who knew William "Tubby" Toms, or descendants of Mr. Toms. His name is familiar to Dillinger people as a reporter who covered the Dillinger story and who was friendly with Matt Leach. If you are a family member, friend or descendant of a member of the 1933 Indiana State Police, please email me at: ellenpoulsen@aol.com.

I hope Dillinger readers will consider reading this Matt Leach biography when it is completed. He was a fascinating person in his own right. Dillinger must have thought so, because he postmarked cards and telephoned Leach during the thirteen months he was on the run.